Compositions and methods for teeth whitening

Abstract

Disclosed herein are teeth whitening compositions generally including an oxidizing agent, and an activating agent that has an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm. Methods of employing these compositions to whiten teeth, methods of making these compositions and kits that include some or part of the composition ingredients, are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for whitening teeth comprising:
 applying a composition comprising an oxidizing agent and at least two chromophores to at least one tooth; and 
 exposing the composition on the at least one tooth to actinic light; 
 wherein the at least two chromophores comprise Fluorescein and Eosin Y, each in an amount of 0.001% to 1% by weight of composition. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one tooth is exposed to the actinic light for an amount of time selected from the group consisting of about 1 second to about 30 seconds, about 3 seconds to about 10 seconds, and about 5 seconds to about 10 seconds. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide is less than or equal to 6% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the carbamide peroxide is less than or equal to 22% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent is in an amount equivalent to a hydrogen peroxide content of about 6% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two chromophores further comprises a chromophore selected from a group consisting of Rose Bengal, Erythrosine, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a stabilizing agent, a thickening agent, a hydrophilic gelling agent, a base, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the thickening agent is selected from a group consisting of silicon dioxide and fumed silica. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hydrophilic gelling agent is selected from a group consisting of polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, a large molecular weight polyol, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the base is potassium hydroxide. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is between 2 and 10. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two chromophores further comprises Rose Bengal. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the Rose Bengal in an amount of 0.001% to 1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two chromophores further comprises Erythrosine. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the Erythrosine in an amount of 0.001% to 1% by weight of the composition.